Colombia's President Says 'I Shall Resort to Weapons Again' if American Forces Launches an Attack.

President Trump along with Colombia's president have intensified the volume of their war of words, further raising tensions between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust President Nicolás Maduro from his position.

"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and his time is running out," Trump remarked.

Escalating Rhetoric and Accusations

Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president hinted at comparable use of force against Colombia, asserting the country is “very sick too” and “run by a problematic figure involved in producing narcotics and trafficking it to the US."

Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest source of the narcotic, no proof exists linking President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is directly involved in the business.

A Strained Partnership

This nation was historically a staunch collaborator of the United States in the campaign against drug trafficking and received bipartisan support in Washington, however, the relationship have worsened significantly after Trump assumed the presidency.

Colombia’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by illegal armed groups including one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, a large contingent of whom disbanded following a 2016 peace deal.

Colombia's Firm Answer

In response to a query if armed intervention similar to Venezuela was on the cards for Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."

The Colombian leader, once a member of a left-wing insurgent group who left armed struggle decades ago, rejected the accusations. "I am not an illegitimate leader and certainly not a drug trafficker," he stated.

"He comments without knowledge. Cease defaming me," he expressed in a message.

"If they [the US] bomb civilians, they will become a multitude of fighters across the countryside. And if they detain the president, whom a significant portion of the country holds in high esteem, they will unleash the ‘jaguar’ of the people," he admonished.

From Guerrilla to Statesman

The president dedicated a period in his early life belonging of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate to have ever engaged in fighting. Upon leaving the group, he took part in creating the constitutional rewrite in 1991 and later became a respected lawmaker. He held the office of mayor of the Colombian capital before winning the presidency.

"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for Colombia I shall resume the fight," he affirmed.

Increased Security along with Widespread Condemnation

Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that Petro's protection team had received additional support.

A segment of Colombia’s conservative opposition have expressed support with Trump's stance, yet figures spanning the political spectrum have rejected the possibility of a US attack against their nation.

Political and Economic Pressure

American authorities cancelled his travel authorization subsequent to he called on American soldiers to ignore orders that violate law. In October, it placed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his spouse and a number of associates.

Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels near Venezuela and striking vessels thought to carry drugs to put pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro, the US executed strikes on boats in Pacific waters adjacent to Colombia.